Ms. O's Kindergarten class

Eliza is winding up the last precious days of her magical introduction to kindergarten with Ms. Osborn.  Ms. Osborn will be leaving "The Sunflowers" to go on maternity leave.  It is hard to express how sad we are to lose her, though we are equally excited for her as she embarks on the wonderful adventures that her new baby will bring.  Still, when Eliza was crying the other night that "It's so unfair that Ms. Osborn is leaving because I just love her so much and I only just started school"...we could definitely relate to the sadness.  

So, how to describe her? First of all, she exudes creativity and craftiness.  The projects she comes up with are incredible and her artistic sensibilities seem to permeate everything she touches.  Walking into the Sunflower classroom is like being in an alternative, much more brightly colored universe.  Through all of this creativity, she has cultivated and solidified Eliza's natural love of learning.  She makes school the fun and amazing journey that it should be. 

One of the things Eliza likes best about Ms. O is that she's been teaching them sign language. Eliza likes to brag to anyone who will listen, "I know sign language."  They also sing their good morning song in about eight different languages...I think she adds a language whenever she has a family in the class who can teach it to her.  This year, we added Tibetan, Norwegian and Portuguese to the Spanish, Chinese and others that were already there.  

She's also incredibly patient, gentle and loving with all of the kids.  Sometimes this can't be easy: Don't let the name fool you, "The Sunflowers" are a wild bunch.  But, Ms. Osborn sees the good in everyone and reminds them of it on a regular basis, inspiring them to do better, to be their best.  

She has all sorts of little rituals and routines that infuse meaning into the kids' day. There is a strong sense of safety and comfort in the environment she has created.  For us, that means there is the wonderful feeling of knowing we are sending our daughter off each day to a place where she is nurtured and loved.  For Eliza it means being in an environment where she is confident enough to take risks, to take chances and to learn from mistakes.  

Plus, she's from England, and of course we love that. 

She also takes wonderful photographs (in general, but also of the kids).  Below are some of her pictures of Eliza from this year.  You can check out more of her pictures on flickr.  Her name there is willowpoppy. All of the pictures below were taken by Willow Osborn, except the one that she's in...I don't know who took that.  Unless, of course, Ms. Osborn has the ability to be in two places at once which seems totally plausible to us. 

Eliza as "Star Student", Kevin helping her tell the class about herself.

Eliza making patterns...E!

Sunflowers pajama party.  Eating cookies, watching a movie...they were pretty happy. 

Ms. Osborn. 

Eliza and best bud Naima playing dress up at free choice time.

Eliza and another best bud, Elan checking out the seeds in the sunflowers that were growing in the BAM garden.

Eating homemade applesauce

Eliza and Kaya proud of the castle they made.

Coloring.

Eliza, Elan and Wisdom making sugar skulls for Day of the Dead.

More skulls. 

Kristi and Adaeze's Visit!

Adventure #1 Crissy Field and Muir Woods

It was a chilly, windy day when we arrived at Crissy field.  The girls started off bundled up. 

As they jumped and ran and danced in the wind and surf, they warmed up quickly.

The beach is really the perfect place for kids: they can run as fast as they can, scream as loud as they want and the sound of the wind and surf swallows it all up. 

Their clothes got progressively wetter and they cast them off as they went.

Pretty soon, they stripped off all together.

 
Despite the cool air and frigid water, they frolicked naked in the waves for a long, happy time. 

Afterwards, they cuddled up in a towel.

Laura and Helen met us for a walk.

Kristi and the crow.

Crissy field walk: destination warming hut hot chocolate.

After our adventure at Crissy field, we went to Muir woods to see the giant redwoods.

We thought we saw fairies.

Adventure #2 Indian Rock

Adaeze looks down at the world from the top of Indian Rock
Friends forever

Jenny is hiding her cold sore.

Rock Climbers

Kevin, Kristi and Haze at the top

"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" 

Adventure #3: Adventure Playground

Hazel and Adaeze

Here we are at the best park ever--Adventure Playground--at the Berkeley Marina, where kids get to construct, as well as play, on all of the structures. Very cool. 

Proud six-year-old getting ready to ride the zip-line.

Hazel is thrilled that graffiti is actively encouraged!!

Make-your-own fun!

Afterwards we headed for the beach.

Another chilly evening at the beach, another reason to get naked!

 
And capped off the night with a bit of soccer.

We love you Kristi and Adaeze! Thank you for the fantastic visit.

Biking at the Berkeley Marina

Today we spent a lovely afternoon bike riding with Laura and Helen at the Berkeley Marina and then back home for a delicious meal, tasty wine and cozy conversations by the fireplace.  

Eliza taking off on her bike! Hazel is close behind with Aunty Laura to help push.
Eliza gets a boost from Dad. 
Hazel tired of riding, becomes a sack of potatoes for Aunty Helen.
Relaxing in the sunshine.
While Eliza contemplates the scene.
Back in the saddle.
She's going!
She stops.  Auntie Helen and Auntie Laura are left carrying the bike.
While Hazel checks out the gigantic octopus kite.

Back at home, glass of wine and snuggles.  A great day all around.

Yes!

As in many households, I'm sure, Barack Obama is like a rock star around here.  Eliza and Hazel were very excited about the election and almost as excited as their parents when Obama won.  

They listened to his acceptance speech completely mesmerized and chanted "Yes we can" along with him at the end.  It was amazing to watch and a testament to his incredible charisma and speaking ability that he could so totally captivate a six and three year-old, along with the rest of the world. 

Eliza contemplated his story about the 106-year-old woman who was born before airplanes and car-choked streets and also before she was allowed to vote due to the color of her skin and the fact that she was a woman, and concluded "Things were better for mother earth back then, but they were worse for people." So, here's to hoping that the era of Barack Obama will be a great one for people AND for mother earth. Yes we can!  

Though, the day was not entirely happy: it was a shock that 52% of our fellow Californian voters voted FOR discrimination and proposition 8 passed.  It literally made Eliza cry.